‘Lost’ Hall of Fame: “The Constant”

The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, is an ancient Greek epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem explores Odysseus's encounters with various mythical creatures, divine interventions, and natural challenges. Upon his return to Ithaca, he must confront the suitors who have been vying for his wife Penelope's hand in marriage. With the help of his son Telemachus and the goddess Athena, Odysseus devises a plan to defeat the suitors and reclaim his throne. The poem is a reflection on human nature, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, and it remains a crucial component of ancient Greek literature and Western cultural heritage.

Great Expectations is a classic novel by Charles Dickens that chronicles the life of Pip, a young orphan living in the marshes of Kent. The story begins with Pip's encounter with an escaped convict, Abel Magwitch, which sets off a chain of events that changes his life. Pip inherits a large fortune from an anonymous benefactor, which he uses to become a gentleman. However, his journey is marked by his unrequited love for Estella, the adopted daughter of the eccentric Miss Havisham, and his eventual discovery that his benefactor is not who he expected. The novel explores themes of social class, love, rejection, and the search for true identity, set against the backdrop of early 19th-century England.

Jacqueline Goldfinger's adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' is a family-friendly version that includes music, making it suitable for a wide range of audiences. This play retains the core themes and characters of the original while adding a musical element to enhance the storytelling and emotional impact.

'A Tale of Two Cities' is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution and portrays the lives of individuals caught up in the tumultuous events. The novel primarily follows the stories of Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a cynical English lawyer, whose lives become intertwined due to their love for Lucie Manette. Dickens explores themes of sacrifice, resurrection, and the cyclical nature of history. Carton's ultimate sacrifice for Darnay and Lucie embodies the novel's message of redemption and the potential for personal transformation amidst chaos. The narrative contrasts the opulence of the French aristocracy with the poverty and suffering of the common people, highlighting the social injustices that fueled the revolution.